Heat exchanging device for refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A heat exchanging device for a refrigerator is disclosed which includes a casing divided into a first chamber with a condenser disposed therein and a second chamber with an evaporator disposed therein by a separation wall (partition). A container is disposed in the first chamber for accommodating water. Further, a water pathway is provided between the first and second chambers for guiding water generated from the second chamber toward the container. With this structure, defrosted water may be effectively discharged to prevent contamination of the heat exchanging device and a refrigerating chamber and refrigerating performance of the refrigerator may be improved.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A heat exchanging device for a refrigerator is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In general, a refrigerator is a device for keeping items stored therein, such as food items, in storage at a low temperature using a condenser and an evaporator as basic heat exchanging units installed therein so that the storage items do not change or go bad for a long period of time. In particular, the refrigerator maintains, for example, drinking water cool in hot areas during the hot seasons.

As the living standards of people improve, demands for maintaining drinking items cold below a set temperature regardless of the conditions and/or environment are increasing. That is, for example, people want to keep cold drinking water or beverages cold in the summer season or want to keep wine at a certain temperature regardless of the season.

In order to meet these demands, refrigerators suitable for various types of drinking water or beverages have been developed. That is, the related art refrigerator includes a refrigerating chamber for storing a refrigerating item and a heat exchanging device installed at a lower side of the refrigerating chamber. Air is cooled by passing through an evaporator due to operation of a blow fan installed at the heat exchanging device and introduced into the refrigerating chamber to control the interior of the refrigerating chamber to a certain temperature. However, the related art refrigerator has the problem that moisture contained in the air forms water droplets on the surface of the evaporator due to a temperature difference between the evaporator and the ambient air, and a peripheral portion of the evaporator is contaminated by the water droplets, and thus, air circulating in the refrigerating chamber and the heat exchanging device is contaminated.

In addition, when defrosted water generated by the evaporator is not discharged, a freezing phenomenon occurs on the surface of the evaporator degrading heat efficiency of the evaporator. In addition, the freezing phenomenon is also generated in an air flow passage connecting the refrigerating chamber and the heat exchanging device, which may block the air flow passage such that cooling air cannot be smoothly circulated between the refrigerating chamber and the heat exchanging device, resulting in degradation of refrigerating performance of the refrigerator. Moreover, blocking of the air flow passage between the refrigerating chamber and the heat exchanging device due to the freezing phenomenon causes a breakdown of the heat exchanging device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a refrigerator including a heat exchanging device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a detailed sectional view showing the heat exchanging device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a water container of the heat exchanging device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a separation wall of the heat exchanging device of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A heat exchanging device for a refrigerator according to an embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator according to an embodiment includes a cabinet 210 including a refrigerating chamber 211 with an insulated interior, and a heat exchanging device 300 detachably mounted in the cabinet 210 at a lower side of the cabinet 210 and having an integrated mechanism that performs a refrigerating cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating to generate cooling air. A plurality of shelves 220, on which refrigerating items, such as drinking water, are to be placed may be installed within the refrigerating chamber 211. At one side of a lower portion of the cabinet 210, an outlet 240 is formed that allows air which has been circulated through the refrigerating chamber 211 to be discharged to the heat exchanging device 300 and an inlet 230 is formed through which cooling air generated by the heat exchanging device 300 moves to the inner side of the refrigerating chamber 211.

As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanging device 300 may include a casing 310 installed to be detachable from the cabinet 210 at the lower side of the cabinet 210 and having a mechanic chamber 315 therein; a compressor 332 installed within the mechanic chamber 315 that compresses a refrigerant; a condenser 331 that liquefies a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 332; an expansion valve 339 that converts the high temperature high pressure refrigerant liquefied in the condenser 331 into a low temperature low pressure refrigerant; an evaporator 321 that absorbs ambient heat while evaporating the low temperature low pressure liquid refrigerant which has passed through the expansion valve 339; a blow fan 322 disposed near the evaporator 321 that blows cooling air cooled by the evaporator 321 into the refrigerating chamber 211; and a condenser fan 333 that releases heat of the condenser 331. At an upper side of the casing 310, an air circulation hole 323 may be formed communicating with the outlet 240 of the cabinet 210 to allow air which has circulated in the interior of the refrigerating chamber 211 to flow into the mechanic chamber 315; and a cooling air inflow hole 324 may be formed communicating with the inlet 230 of the cabinet 210 to allow cooling air of the mechanic chamber 315 to be introduced into the refrigerating chamber 211.

The air circulation hole 323 and the cooling air inflow hole 324 may be divided at both sides of the evaporator 321 so that the process in which air flowing into the air circulation hole 323 passes through the evaporator 321 so as to be introduced into the cooling air inflow hole 324 can be smoothly performed.

In addition, a filter 325 may be mounted in the air circulation hole 323 to prevent the introduction of debris into the mechanic chamber 315. The filter 325 may have a filtering net structure to help air smoothly flow.

At one lower side of the casing 310, an inlet 334 may be formed through which external air may be introduced into the mechanic chamber 315 according to an operation of the condenser fan 333 and an outlet 335 may be formed through which air which has been heated by the condenser 331 may be discharged to outside. The condenser fan 333 may be positioned near the outlet 335 to enhance air discharging performance.

The separation wall 340 which divides the interior of the mechanic chamber 315 may be installed within the casing 310 in order to prevent cooling air which has passed through the evaporator 321 and high temperature air around the condenser 331 from being heat-exchanged. Accordingly, the mechanic chamber 315 may be divided adiabatically by the separation wall 340 into the first chamber 311 in which the compressor 332, the condenser 331, and the expansion valve 339 are disposed, and the inlet 334 and the outlet 335 are formed, and the second chamber 312, in which the evaporator 321 is disposed.

The second chamber 312 of the mechanic chamber 315 may be insulated from the outside to prevent cooling air cooled by the evaporator 321 from being heat-exchanged with the outside. Accordingly, the casing 310 and the separation wall 340 for forming the second chamber 312 may be made of an adiabatic material.

A container 336 for accommodating water, such as defrosted water generated by the evaporator 321, may be provided at a lower portion of the first chamber 311. With the container 335 installed in the first chamber 311, the water can be smoothly evaporated by heat generated from the condenser 331.

With reference to FIG. 3, the container 336 may have a shape such that its area increases in an upward direction in order to facilitate the evaporation of the water. That is, the container 336 may be formed such that a diameter of its upper portion is larger than a diameter of its lower portion, increasing the area where the water contacts with air flowing in the first chamber 311, and thus, the water can be quickly evaporated.

Further, in order to more quickly evaporate the water, the container 336 may have a large bottom area. For example, the bottom area of the container 336 may have an area of ¼ to ½ of the lower area of the first chamber 311. In addition, in order for heat generated from the condenser 331 to be directly transferred to the water received in the container 336, the container 336 may be installed at a lower side of the condenser 331.

When a lot of water is stored in the container 336, in order to prevent the lower portion of the condenser 331 from being immersed in the water, the upper portion of the container 336 may be positioned lower than the lower portion of the condenser 331.

A drain hole 341 may be formed at one side of the separation wall 340. Further, a water passage 337 may be installed at the drain hole 341 in order to guide the water (W), such as defrosted water which falls from the evaporator 321 toward the container 336. The water passage 337 may be bent one or more times in order to minimize transfer of heat of the interior of the first chamber 311 to the second chamber 312 through the water passage 337. As shown in FIG. 4, in order to facilitate discharging of the water, the separation wall 340 may include a slope face 342 sloped at a certain angle toward the drain hole 341. With the structure as described above, water which falls from the evaporator 321 can be guided along the slope face 342 of the separation wall 340 to the drain hole 341 and then pass through the water passage 337 so as to be received in the container 336.

The operation of the refrigerator and the heat exchanging device according to an embodiment will now be described in detail below.

First, the heat exchanging device 300 is installed at a lower side of the cabinet 210 such that the outlet 240 and the inlet 230 of the cabinet 210 communicate with the air circulation hole 323 and the cooling air inflow hole 324 of the heat exchanging device 300. When power is applied to operate the heat exchanging device 300, a refrigerant compressed in the compressor 332 is heat-released and condensed in the condenser 331 and then introduced to the evaporator 321 through the expansion valve 339. According to the operation of the blow fan 322, air within the refrigerating chamber 211 flows toward the evaporator 321 through the outlet 240 and the air circulation hole 323, and is cooled while passing through the evaporator 321.

The cooled air is introduced into the refrigerating chamber 211 through the cooling air inflow hole 324 and the inlet 230, to cool the interior of the refrigerating chamber 211. After circulating through the interior of the refrigerating chamber 211, the cooling air is introduced again to the mechanic chamber 315 through the outlet 240 and the air circulation hole 323, and is cooled while passing through the evaporator 321. The temperature within the refrigerating chamber 211 is uniformly maintained by the processes as described above.

Water, such as defrosted water which falls from the evaporator 321 is guided to the drain hole 341 along the slope face of the separation wall 340 and passes through the water passage 337 so as to be received by the container 336. The water received in the container 336 is evaporated by heat generated by the condenser 331 and then discharged externally through the outlet 335 according to the operation of the condenser fan 333.

As so far described, the heat exchanging device for a refrigerator according to embodiments has many advantages. For example, because the container 336 is installed in the first chamber 311, in which the condenser 331 and the condenser fan 333 are installed, and the water passage 337 is installed to guide water which falls from the evaporator 321 toward the container 336, the water generated by the evaporator 321 can be easily discharged. This prevents contamination of the refrigerating chamber 211 as well as the heat exchanging device 300, maintains optimum heat efficiency by preventing the freezing phenomenon, and prevents a breakdown of the heat exchanging device. In addition, because the heat exchanging device 300 is detachably mounted in the refrigerating chamber 211, the maintenance and repair of the refrigerator can be easily performed.

The disclosed heat exchanging device for a refrigerator is capable of improving refrigerating performance of a refrigerator and preventing a breakdown of a heat exchanging device by effectively discharging water generated by an evaporator, thus preventing contamination and freezing phenomenon of the heat exchanging device and a refrigerating chamber.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A heat exchanging device for a refrigerator, comprising: a casing divided by a separation wall into a first chamber with a condenser disposed therein and a second chamber with an evaporator disposed therein; a container disposed in the first chamber configured to accommodate water; and a water pathway between the first and second chambers configured to guide water generated from the second chamber toward the container.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the water pathway comprises a water passage installed between the first and second chambers.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a drain hole, to which one end of the water passage is connected, formed at one side of the separation wall.
 4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a slope face sloped toward the drain hole formed at one side of the separation wall.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the water passage is bent one or more times.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein an inlet configured to allow external air to be introduced therethrough and an outlet configured to allow air heated by the condenser to be discharged therethrough are formed in the first chamber.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein a condenser fan is installed between the inlet and the outlet.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the condenser fan is installed near the outlet.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing includes a cooling air inflow hole configured to allow cooling air in the second chamber to be supplied to a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator therethrough and an air circulation hole configured to allow air of the refrigerating chamber to flow into the second chamber therethrough.
 10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a filter provided at the air circulation hole.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing includes a cooling air inflow hole configured to allow cooling air in the second chamber to be supplied to a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator therethrough and an air circulation hole allowing air of the refrigerating chamber to flow into the second chamber therethrough.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the cooling air inflow hole and the air circulation hole are formed at both sides of the evaporator.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the second chamber is insulated.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is formed such that its area increases from its lower portion to its upper portion.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the container is installed at a lower side of the condenser.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the upper portion of the container is positioned below a lower portion of the condenser.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing is detachably mounted at the lower side of the refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator.
 18. A refrigerator comprising the heat exchanging device of claim
 1. 19. A refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet; a refrigerating chamber within the cabinet; a heat exchanging device removably attached to the cabinet, wherein the heat exchanging device comprises: a casing divided by a separation wall into a first chamber with a condenser disposed therein and a second chamber with an evaporator disposed therein; a container disposed in the first chamber configured to accommodate water; and a water pathway between the first and second chambers configured to guide water generated from the second chamber toward the container.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the water pathway comprises a water passage installed between the first and second chambers.
 21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a drain hole, to which one end of the water passage is connected, formed at one side of the separation wall.
 22. The refrigerator of claim 21, further comprising a slope face sloped toward the drain hole formed at one side of the separation wall.
 23. The device of claim 20, wherein the water passage is bent one or more times.
 24. The device of claim 19, wherein the casing includes a cooling air inflow hole configured to allow cooling air in the second chamber to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber therethrough and an air circulation hole configured to allow air of the refrigerating chamber to flow into the second chamber therethrough.
 25. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the casing includes a cooling air inflow hole configured to allow cooling air in the second chamber to be supplied to the refrigerating chamber therethrough and an air circulation hole allowing air of the refrigerating chamber to flow into the second chamber therethrough.
 26. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the container is formed such that its area increases from its lower portion to its upper portion.
 27. The refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the container is installed at a lower side of the condenser.
 28. The refrigerator of claim 27, wherein the upper portion of the container is positioned below a lower portion of the condenser. 